Dichio fells fading West Ham

Eight months ago, mayhem ensued in this fixture both on and off the pitch as a red card, missed penalties and the visiting fans trying to attack their hosts all contributed to a fractious afternoon that ended in Millwall's favour.

Eight months ago, mayhem ensued in this fixture both on and off the pitch as a red card, missed penalties and the visiting fans trying to attack their hosts all contributed to a fractious afternoon that ended in Millwall's favour.

Yesterday at the Den saw a repeat of the result but thankfully none of the off-field clashes. Compared to the 4-1 thrashing in March, however, this was a slender victory, achieved due to Danny Dichio's header with 13 minutes left.

But for the second game in a row between these two sides here, West Ham had a man sent off. This time around Marlon Harewood was dismissed for two yellow cards after 63 minutes, with the second one given for a perceived dive.

The result left Hammers' fans chanting for their manager Alan Pardew to be sacked.

Pardew acknowledged what was going on. His team have now won once in five games and he said: "We've had a terrible week after losing to Brighton as well and the fans want promotion at all costs. There is not much room for sympathy."

While the Hammers are drifting, Millwall are upwardly mobile, with this victory leaving them two points behind their neighbours in the last play-off place with two games in hand.

Ray Wilkins, the Lions' assistant manager, said: "We had to get this result. By Christmas we hope we're in the top batch and we're going for promotion."

The winning goal came when Kevin Muscat crossed from the right for Dichio to head inside the far post. West Ham could have equalised three minutes from time but Steve Lomas missed with his own header.